The Amanah MP for Kuala Terengganu alleged “people at the top” involved in the syndicate were still free while those caught so far were mere “ikan bilis” (small fry).
“The syndicate has long been established in Malaysia and has a godfather who wields influence and holds a high position,” he told a news conference in Parliament today.
Raja Kamarul made the claim following the reported arrest of 10 personnel of the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
The MMEA personnel were picked up in Sabah, Sarawak, Pahang and Terengganu on suspicion of involvement in the syndicate protecting the illegal foreign fishermen.
The MACC also detained a Vietnamese woman with a “Datuk” title, seized RM1.9 million in cash and froze 44 bank accounts with deposits totalling RM2 million.
Raja Kamarul said he did not believe the individuals arrested had the means to form the syndicate on their own without assistance from “people at the top”.
He said the foreign fishermen were able to offer bribes of up to RM100,000 to maritime enforcement officers, and this pointed to the existence of wealthy people at the top funding the syndicate.
“In addition, the fact that a Vietnamese woman could obtain a Datuk title shows she has connections in high places.
“The Vietnamese illegal fishermen also seemed to know how to evade arrest after local fishermen made reports about their presence. This indicates an information leak,” he said.
Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said recently Malaysia was believed to be losing 980,000 tonnes of fish worth RM3 billion to RM6 billion a year due to illegal fishing by foreigners.
Zahid said only an estimated 50% of the fish caught in Malaysian waters were landed in the country, while the balance was not reported, pointing to theft by foreign intruders.